Salmon (European & Pacific)

Mankind's use of salmon has been dated back to the Palaeolithic period. At one time, it was so common it used as pig-swill! Today, modern fishing methods and commercial salmon farming threaten the survival of wild populations.

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Key Facts

Common Name

Salmon

Scientific Name

Family Salmonidae

Size

Atlantic salmon can grow up to 32kg

Geographic location

North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

One amazing journey

Typically, salmon are anadromous: they are born in freshwater, migrate to the ocean, then return to freshwater to reproduce (there is a sub species of Atlantic salmon that stays in freshwater lakes). The journey made by those salmon that survive this quest to reproduce is one of nature's greatest triumphs.

The salmon must swim hundreds even thousands of miles, to get back to the stream where they hatched. Whilst many simply do not have enough fat stores to make the trip, others must battle through fishermen's nets, over power dams, up waterfalls and rapids, and struggle past eagles, otters and bears to reach their destination.

Salmon spend between 1 and 7 years out in the ocean, depending on the species. Pacific salmon usually die within a few days or weeks of spawning. Atlantic salmon can make the trip from freshwater to ocean and back a number of times.

Where are the salmon?

Pacific salmon are native to Canada, Russia, and the United States and have been introduced into Japan and Atlantic salmon are native to the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The largest salmon sanctuary in the world is in Kamchatka, Russia.

Food for thought

Salmon is a popular food, and is classified as an oily fish, recommended for a healthy diet.

Fishing and the processing of salmon play a major role in many economies. Whilst overfishing and badly managed fisheries have contributed to the decline of many species of fish, including some salmon populations, the Alaska salmon fishery, which is responsible for around 90% of wild caught salmon in North America, has been MSC certified since 2000.

Priority Species

Salmon is a WWF priority species. WWF treats priority species as one of the most ecologically, economically and/or culturally important species on our planet. And so we are working to ensure such species can live and thrive in their natural habitats.

Why are salmon under threat?

Populations of wild salmon in the Pacific and the Atlantic have been steadily decreasing due to a number of factors. It has been estimated that there has been a 50% worldwide decline in Atlantic salmon over the last 20 years. The main problems are:

Cross contamination by farmed salmon. This has led to the spread of diseases to wild populations, especially sea lice.

Aquaculture

Aquaculture is an important economic activity in many countries, and can offer a number of benefits to society. However, this rapidly growing industry is associated with a number of serious environmental and social issues, whose consequences have proven disastrous in some areas of the world.

How you can help

Ask the question! Always ask for sustainably sourced salmon. Even if it isn't available, demand for sustainable seafood will drive fisheries and retailers towards a sustainable future. Look for MSC certification on salmon and salmon products.